Improvement in machines for stretching the tipsof hat-bodies



F. C. TAYLOR.

Machine for Stretchingthe Tips of Hat-Bodies. Nd,161,99 2 V PatentedApriH3,187 5.

FRANCIS C. TAYLOR, OF DANBUBY, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR STRETCHING THE TIPS OF HAT-BODIES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 161,992, dated April13, 1875; application filed January 5, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS C. TAYLOR, of Danbury, county of Fairfieldand State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machinery for Stretching the Tips of Hat-Bodies and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the construction and operation of the same, reference being had tothe annexed drawings, and to the figures and letters of reference markedthereon, making a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an arrangement for uniformlystretching the tips and squares of hat bodies preparatory to stretchingthem over the hat-block in the processes of blocking.

The nature of my invention consists of a series of expanding jaws withappropriate levers and connections, in connection with an endless coiledspring, by means of which the hat-body is stretched from a point nearthe extreme tip outward in a direction toward the square of the hat.

To enable others skilled in the arts to make and use my invention, Iwill proceed to describe its construction and operation.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my invention Fig. 2, a verticalsection through the expanding jaws; Fig. 3, a plan view of thestretching mechanism.

In the drawings, A represents the frame of the machine, ofany suitablematerial, to which is firmlyattached the hangers or supports B B. Crepresents a support with sockets S S,

and is rigidly secured to the hanger C. To this support is hinged aseries of expanding jaws, b b, the same having recess 00, to form a seatfor the coiled spring cl. These expanding jaws I) b have shoulders L L,and are provided with arms b 1), projecting out at right angles thereto,and to which are connected rods D, the lower ends of the same beingsecured to the sliding support E. To this sup port are rigidly connectedrods 0, their lower ends secured to the hinged foot-lever R.

The operation of my invention is as follows: A hat is first placed overthe jaws b b and held firmly in its place. The action of the foot orother power applied to the lever B forces it down. The motion causedthereby, acting through the various connections, forces open or expandsthe jaws b 1) against the inner surface of the hat, which forces thecorresponding section 0: the hat in a circular and longitudinaldirection. At the same time the ring is expanded against a correspondingsec tion of the hat nearest the tip, stretching and forcing that portionof the hat also in an outward direction toward the square of the hat, asthe spaces between the rings are opened or expanded, thus operating andstretching all portions of the tip and square of the hat at oneoperation. The hat is removed from the machine by releasing the pressureupon the lever B, by which means the machine returns to its negativeposition, ready for the next operation.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

The expanding jaws I), provided with recesses a2. and spring (1, andarms I), the same being pivoted to the support C, and connected to thesliding support E by rods D, the hangers B B, rods 0, and foot-lever R,combined to operate substantially as specified.

FRANCIS C. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

DAVID PEARCE, LUMAN L. HUBBELL.

